Dust allergy and coops

[Duckfarmer1]

Had birds for 20 years, and I didn't need to use anything when I changed bedding in the beginning. I began reacting to it about 5 years ago, and it got worse when I got a part time job at a petting zoo where I spend most of the day in a barn. Last year I started getting a head ache every time I handled straw or hay (I know I'm not allergic to hay. Well, I didn't use to be at least.), and lately it's been just walking into the coop and out again without a mask.

Yeah, seriously considering seeing a doctor...

I have really bad allergies..but ten times worse since having to deal with the barn....and chickens, etc. I actually started coughing so hard that I’d get dizzy..one day, leaving the barn before Thanksgiving...I passed out. I know this because I didn’t break my fall with my arms, only my face. I ended up dislingin* my front tooth...I have to get a root canal on it now, beca the root died. I had to get stitches above my lip. Anyways..I had to see my dr. It was time to take my allergies seriously. I was put on singular daily...then a flonase nasal spray that I can use a lot...it thins mucus...I also am supposed to use an OTC nasal spray as needed...sometimes I still need a tad bit of cough syrup when I know I’m going to be doing a lot with bedding. But, the combination of the meds from the dr has helped my allergies a ton. I know it’s a lo5 to take...but, I passed out and my root canal is going to cost...minim..$1,750.... not to mention that it hurts and I have been able to bite solid food since then...I think these things I’m taking can be bought OTC? I dont know...I have insurance so my dr just prescribes, them but they sometimes come in the stores own box, just with a sticker over it. Good luck everyone....

 

[AquaDuck]

I have really bad allergies..but ten times worse since having to deal with the barn....and chickens, etc. I actually started coughing so hard that I’d get dizzy..one day, leaving the barn before Thanksgiving...I passed out. I know this because I didn’t break my fall with my arms, only my face. I ended up dislingin* my front tooth...I have to get a root canal on it now, beca the root died. I had to get stitches above my lip. Anyways..I had to see my dr. It was time to take my allergies seriously. I was put on singular daily...then a flonase nasal spray that I can use a lot...it thins mucus...I also am supposed to use an OTC nasal spray as needed...sometimes I still need a tad bit of cough syrup when I know I’m going to be doing a lot with bedding. But, the combination of the meds from the dr has helped my allergies a ton. I know it’s a lo5 to take...but, I passed out and my root canal is going to cost...minim..$1,750.... not to mention that it hurts and I have been able to bite solid food since then...I think these things I’m taking can be bought OTC? I dont know...I have insurance so my dr just prescribes, them but they sometimes come in the stores own box, just with a sticker over it. Good luck everyone....

Wow, that sucks! An expensive way to treat allergies... Seems to be pretty common that it takes an emergency or accident to treat what we percieve to be minor problem.

 

[AquaDuck]

Also be tested for Histoplasmosos, along with all the rest.
I wear a N95 dust mask out there, because none of that dust is healthy to inhale! Just because it seemed fine for a long time, now it's not.
Chicken make dust! I can't recommend a way to avoid it in a coop, regardless of the bedding.
Mary

True. Having birds in a house will produce dust nonetheless. I convinced my boss to change the chickens' bedding to sand at the petting zoo where I work, and still there's a layer of dust on stationary things within a week. Can't wait for summer when all my birds are outside.
N95 masks don't work for me anymore, so I upgraded to a gas mask (mouth and nose cover only). It's not pleasant, but it works!

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Wow, that sucks! An expensive way to treat allergies... Seems to be pretty common that it takes an emergency or accident to treat what we percieve to be minor problem.

Yeah, I blew off the coughing for a few years..but, obviously, I should have done something about it before it caused me to pass out and get really hurt..dumb move on my part. That’s why I told the story...to try to help someone else not be dumb like me...

 

[Duckfarmer1]

True. Having birds in a house will produce dust nonetheless. I convinced my boss to change the chickens' bedding to sand at the petting zoo where I work, and still there's a layer of dust on stationary things within a week. Can't wait for summer when all my birds are outside.
N95 masks don't work for me anymore, so I upgraded to a gas mask (mouth and nose cover only). It's not pleasant, but it works!

Whilf you work? That must not be great!! We do these makes because we choose to be with our birds...youre working with them and they are causing you to wear a gas mask!!

 

[AquaDuck]

Whilf you work? That must not be great!! We do these makes because we choose to be with our birds...youre working with them and they are causing you to wear a gas mask!!

I quit actually... There's no way I'm wearing a gas mask for 8 hours a day! Well, I didn't quit completely, I don't work in the barn anymore, but can still do other things. My boss is very nice and understanding, they would have tried to find solutions for me, but I don't wanna expose myself to dust for a while.

 

[AquaDuck]

Gonna keep this thread updated with my thoughts and experiments as I try out different housing and bedding. I'm sure there are more people out there with the same issues.

My first priority is the duck house. Especially the 3 older gals do nothing but sit inside and poop all day, so it's filthy, wet and gasses build up. I'm gonna "kick" them out during daytime and air out as much as possible. Winter's been very mild (just below freezing) so there's no reason why they have to sit inside anyway.

My next project for the ducks will be a new housing for next winter. I'm gonna make an open house structure. A windbreak? Direct translation from my language would be sheltershed.
A ground standing house with solid walls and roof, but no door. I'll fill up with gravel before putting up the coop and yard, and have extra gravel/sand to cover as winter goes by.

 

[Cryss]

Gonna keep this thread updated with my thoughts and experiments as I try out different housing and bedding. I'm sure there are more people out there with the same issues.

My first priority is the duck house. Especially the 3 older gals do nothing but sit inside and poop all day, so it's filthy, wet and gasses build up. I'm gonna "kick" them out during daytime and air out as much as possible. Winter's been very mild (just below freezing) so there's no reason why they have to sit inside anyway.

My next project for the ducks will be a new housing for next winter. I'm gonna make an open house structure. A windbreak? Direct translation from my language would be sheltershed.
A ground standing house with solid walls and roof, but no door. I'll fill up with gravel before putting up the coop and yard, and have extra gravel/sand to cover as winter goes by.

View attachment 2015918View attachment 2015919

I really love your idea for no doors! Is this inside a fully protected run?

 

[AquaDuck]

I really love your idea for no doors! Is this inside a fully protected run?

Yes, I live in a high predator, high snow area, so the run will be fortified and roofed. And with some plastic wind break to stop the wind and snow from getting in. It'll be comfy for them, I think.

 

[BDutch]

I am allergic for some things too (trees) And food intolerant for some things.

Everyone who has problems like that should take anti-histamine tablets. This is not just to lower the symptoms, but also to prevents that its getting worse.
Get informed.
Go see you're doctor

I would ask someone else to clean the coop or stop having chickens if allergic to them.